Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Try in Spanish
Intentar · verb · een-tehn-TAR
English uses 'try' for many situations, but Spanish splits this concept across several verbs. Intentar means to attempt or make an effort. Probar means to try something out, sample it, or taste it. Tratar de means to try to do something and is often interchangeable with intentar, though it can sound slightly more formal. Choosing the right verb depends on whether you are attempting an action, sampling something, or making an effort toward a goal.
Intentar is pronounced een-tehn-TAR. Probar is pronounced proh-BAR. Tratar de is pronounced trah-TAR deh.
Voy a intentar terminar el proyecto antes del viernes.
I am going to try to finish the project before Friday.
Try in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for try, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| intentar | try | een-tehn-TAR | Default, widely understood |
| probar | try | to try or taste something | |
| tratar de | try | to try to do something — slightly more formal |
How Native Speakers Use Intentar
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Attempting something difficult
Intenté abrir la puerta, pero estaba cerrada con llave.
I tried to open the door, but it was locked.
Intentar used for a physical attempt.
Tasting food
¿Quieres probar este plato? Está delicioso.
Do you want to try this dish? It is delicious.
Probar used when offering someone a taste of food.
Making an effort
Siempre trato de ser puntual, pero el tráfico me lo impide.
I always try to be punctual, but traffic prevents me.
Tratar de used for an ongoing personal effort.
Trying on clothes
¿Puedo probarme esta camisa en otro color?
Can I try on this shirt in another color?
Probarse (reflexive) used when trying on clothing.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Intentar
Using probar for attempts
Incorrect: Probé llamarte, pero no contestaste.
Correct: Intenté llamarte, pero no contestaste.
Probar means to sample, test, or taste. For attempting an action like making a phone call, use intentar or tratar de.
Forgetting de after tratar
Incorrect: Traté hacerlo rápido.
Correct: Traté de hacerlo rápido.
Tratar de is a fixed verbal phrase. The preposition de is required between tratar and the following infinitive.
Lock in Try Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Intentar used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using intentar in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Voy a intentar terminar el proyecto antes del viernes. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Try in Spanish
- When should I use intentar versus tratar de?
- They are largely interchangeable when meaning 'to try to do something.' Intentar is slightly more common in everyday speech, while tratar de can feel a bit more formal. Both are correct in most contexts.
- How do I say 'try on' clothes in Spanish?
- Use the reflexive form probarse. For example, 'Me quiero probar estos zapatos' means 'I want to try on these shoes.' The reflexive pronoun changes with the subject.
- Does probar only mean to taste?
- Probar has a broader reach than just tasting. It means to try, test, or sample — whether that is tasting food, trying a new activity for the first time, or testing whether something works. The underlying idea is experiencing or verifying something firsthand.